They made me sing: on the playground, in assemblies, at banquets, on the kitchen counter
for babysitters and dinner guests when I was still too small to see over the table. I sang on
buses on drivers' requests, on basketball courts when the team was feeling down, late at
night at sleepovers. I've sang in bands, in front of choirs, in classrooms, and every year at
closing campfire for Mystic Lake camp from 2nd grade to 8th. When I was little it was always
the same songs: I Will Always Love You or Silver & Gold. I don't think there was a moment--
singing has simply always been.


And writing? My daddy said I could, so I did.